ANC pair go to war in War Room fallout

A WAR between two ANC supporters is now heading to court after Kay Sexwale announced that she is suing Thami Mthimkhulu for R1 million in damages.

This follows a series of tweets that claimed Sexwale was part of the so-called ANC War Room tasked with planting dirt on opposition parties in August’s municipal polls.

In a series of tweets allegedly sent by Mthimkhulu, he said that Sexwale was involved in the War Room, and had sent him direct messages, that contained fake party posters.

He also said the ANC should open a case of fraud against her. Sexwale denies being part of the War Room team. She is the niece of ANC stalwart Tokyo Sexwale.

“Fact: these posters were created by @kaysexwale, I got them from her people “Kay asked if you can push this on Twitter,” One of Mthimkulu’s alleged tweets read.

“It is my client’s considered opinion that this sum is warranted, because you are engaged in an orchestrated attempt to defame my client’s character, because she would not employ you. Indeed, you have run a campaign to besmirch my client’s reputation ever since my client rejected your request for employment,” the letter of demand read.

Responding to possible legal action, Mthimkhulu allegedly tweeted: “Interestingly @ kaysexwale once you’ve considered everything, tell your lawyers to hit me up.”

The Mail & Guardian also reported yesterday fake Twitter accounts were created early in January to attack Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and send positive messages to the Gupta family. The Guptas did not respond to emailed questions yesterday.

Various media organisations were also dragged into the fake Twitter accounts saga. It emerged in high court papers in Joburg that PR consultant Sihle Bolani was owed R2.2m by the ANC in connection with the alleged covert operation to tarnish the image of opposition parties, especially the DA and EFF, in the election campaign.

Bolani said among those involved in the War Room was Shaka Sisulu and Joseph Nkadimeng, but Sisulu denied any links to the project. The ANC said Bolani and Sisulu were volunteers of the ANC.

But this has been denied by Bolani, and in a letter this week it emerged she had signed a settlement of R1m with ANC general manager Ignatius Jacobs.

But ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said Sisulu was not an employee of the ANC, and they were handling the matter of Jacobs.

In a letter of demand to Mthimkhulu, Sexwale’s lawyers said he must retract his claims on Twitter. Sexwale’s lawyers want Mthimkhulu to delete all the offending tweets.

Mthimkhulu could not be reached for comment.

The ANC has been criticised by opposition parties over the War Room claims.

The DA said it would take the matter to the Electoral Court because the conduct of the ANC was against the electoral code. The EFF said it was considering its next course of action against the ANC.

Conduct of ANC contravenes the electoral code